NCB On The Trail: Arkansas Razorbacks

Four star power forward Ted Kapita ended his recruitment on Thursday, committing to head coach Mike Anderson and the Arkansas Razorbacks over offers from Missouri, Memphis, South Florida and Kansas among others.

ESPN 100 guard Jimmy Whitt made a verbal commitment to Arkansas on Tuesday night. The 63rd-ranked prospect in the country chose the Razorbacks over Missouri, Illinois, SMU, and Marquette and announced his decision at a news conference from Hickman High School.

Good timing on this question as your Hogs beat Kentucky at Rupp Arena last night. Arkansas is now 4-1 in its last five SEC games.

Now to your question. The Hogs have three good players coming in next season: ESPN 100 PG Anton Beard (North Little Rock, Ark./Parkview) and a pair of three-star prospects in Trey Thompson (Madison, Ark./Forest City) and Nick Babb (Arlington, Texas/James Martin ).

Each brings a different set of skills. Beard, a top 20 point guard in the class, is capable of taking over games with his scoring or by spreading the ball around and making teammates better. This lefty is strong and competitive and understands his position.

Thompson is a big body with soft hands. If he can get in shape his ability to change ends of the floor and his rebounding, along with his scoring, will improve.

Babb has good size at the shooting guard spot with the IQ to pass and a shooting touch with range to make shots.

As far as upside goes, they all have room to grow and they all can make a contribution next year. I don't see a future pro in this group, but I do see three good SEC players. Of the trio I believe Beard is the most college ready and can have the most impact.

For Mike Anderson and his staff, recruiting has never been a problem here or when they were at Missouri. They do a very good job of evaluating the prospects who fit Anderson's values and style of play.

Class of 2014 power forward Marcanvis Hymon (Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven) announced his commitment to Mississippi on Tuesday.

The three-star prospect, who is currently ranked as the No. 45 power forward on ESPN.com, chose the Rebels over Arkansas, Memphis, Mississippi State and Auburn. He becomes the first Ole Miss commit from the 2014 class.

Small forward Elgin Cook (Milwaukee/Northwest Florida State College), the son of former NBA all-star Alvin Robertson, verbally committed to Oregon on Wednesday, ESPN.com has confirmed.

Cook originally signed with Iowa State out of high school but opted for junior college after failing to qualify. The 6-foot-6 wing chose the Ducks over Gonzaga, Arkansas, Illinois, New Mexico and South Carolina, among others.

If it’s in you, it’s in you. Elgin Cook (Milwaukee/Northwest Florida State) has basketball in his blood. The 6-foot-6 junior college small forward is the son of Alvin Robertson, one of his era’s top defensive players in the NBA.

Robertson owns an Olympic gold medal and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, but before that he had the work his way into college.

Cook, like his father, went the junior college route out of high school. Robertson graduated from Crowder Junior College before moving on to Arkansas and now he’s helping his son select his collegiate program.

Although Robertson ended up at Arkansas, Cook’s path might not be the same. According to Steve Forbes, Cook’s coach at NW Florida State, this weekend sets in motion the first two of what could be a handful of official visits.

USA Basketball announced on Sunday the roster for its 2013 USA Junior National Select Team that will take on the World Select Team in the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit, and the USA will be led by two coaches and four players with prior international basketball experience, including USA medalists and prep standouts Aaron Gordon (Archbishop Mitty H.S./San Jose, Calif.), Rondaé Hollis-Jefferson (Chester H.S./Chester, Pa.), Jabari Parker (Simeon Career Academy/Chicago, Ill.) and Julius Randle (Prestonwood Christian Academy/ McKinney, Texas).

"Size is something we needed to address in the 2013 class," head coach Mike Anderson said. "With the signing of Moses, we feel that we are on the right track. He is listed as one of the better forwards in the country and he really fits our program. He is athletic, a gifted shot blocker, relentless on the boards and can run the floor. One thing that people say is that his defense is ahead of his offense, but I've seen his offensive game develop over the last two years and feel he can be a low post presence for us. He is a high character kid and more importantly he is a winner. I am delighted to have him as part of the Razorback family."

Anderson is also expecting to add ESPN 100 PF Bobby Portis (Little Rock, Ark./Hall) during the early signing period.

ESPN's National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi breaks down this commitment for LSU.

"Jordan is one of the most productive and consistent players and power forwards in the nation," Biancardi offered. "He approaches the game with a business-like attitude and is especially tough rebounding at both ends and blocking shots.

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

On The Trail is ESPN Recruiting's home for all the latest news and information. With some of the nation's top recruiting writers contributing, OTT provides the latest details about commitments, visits and other notes to give fans the most comprehensive recruiting news source in the country.